Automatic shoe bottom filling machines



June 23, 1959 A. EPPLER, JR

AUTOMATIC sacs; BOTTOM FILLING MACHINES Fil ed July 24. 1958 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Andrew Eppler Jr" June 23, 1959 A. PPL JR 2,891,267

AUTOMATIC SHOE BOTTdM FILLING MACHINES Filed-Jul 24, 1958 '7 Sheets-Sheet z June 23, 1959 A. EPPLER, JR

AUTOMATIC SHOE BOTTOM FILLING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 24. 1958 I A. EPPLER, JR 2,891,267

AUTOMATIC sx-xos BOTTOM FILLING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 i s v .5 144/242 June 23, 1959 Filed July 24, 1958 June 23, 1959 A. EPPLER, JR

AUTOMATIC SHOE BOTTOM FILLING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 24. 1958 June 23, 1959 A. EPPLER, JR

AUTOMATIC SHOE BOTTOM FILLING MACHINES Fild Jul 24, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 23, 1959 A. E'PPLER, JR 2,391,267

AUTOMATIC SHOE BOTTOM FILLING MACHINES Filed July 24. 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 2,891,267 AUTOMATIC SHOE BOTTOM FILLING MACHINES Andrew Eppler, .lia, Lynn, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N .J., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 24, 1958, Serial No. 750,699

15 Claims. c1. lie-79.6)

This invention relates to machines for operatingon shoes and morev particularly to machines for applying filler material to the bottoms thereof.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an automatic machine of relatively simple and inexpensive construction suitable for filling the bottoms of shoes with a proper quantity of filler material according to the size of shoe being operated upon. In addition to depositing.

the proper amount of material on the shoe bottom, it is also essential that the material be spread to fill completely the cavity in the shoe bottom. After spreading, the material must also be smoothed to present an even surface suitable for subsequent application of a shoe sole.

.lnone aspect of theinvention each shoe is carried by a support which is adjustable accordingto size. The support is moved toewardly a predetermined distance in accordance with the size adjustmentiofthe support and is thereafter returned to its initial position. During the toeward. movement a filler material depositing means progressively deposits filler material along the shoe bottom. Asthe material is deposited, a flexible belt levels and spreadsthe material in conformance withtthe shape of the shoe bottom.

In accordance with another aspectofthe. invention the depositing means deposits materiaiwonlyalong a predetermined portion of the shoe .bottomin accordance with thesize adjustment of the support,

In accordance with still another feature. the; flexible belt is driven continuously toeward of thelshoerfor leveling and spreading the fillermaterial byfla compressive action as it is deposited during the toeward movement of the shoe and for furtherspreading and smoothing the material by a sliding actionywhen. the.sho,e is being .returned to its initial position.

The above and other features of the. invention-including various novei details of construction and combination of'parts will now be more particularlydescribed with reference to the accompanying,drawings. and.:.thereafter. pointed out in the claims,

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation. partly in section of a. machine for applying filler material to shoe bottoms and constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the articulated spreading and smoothing. belt;.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of themachine;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of theishoe. support;

Fig. Sis an enlarged side elevation, partly in; section, of the filler depositing nozzle and the spreading and smoothing belt;

Pig. 6 is a section on line VI- VI.of Fig. 1;

Fig 7 is a section on line VII-VII of Fig.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the shoe support and associ-. ated guideways; and

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of the automatic control circuits.

The machine is provided witha base member 10 which has fixed: at itsrearwardzend a forwardly extending frame 12; The: base- 10 is; providedwith. guideways for movement of a shoe support 14, as will be described, while theframe 12a'supportsv the filler: materialdelivering mechanisms, generally indicatedxas; 16, and the spreading .and smoothing belt 18.

As seen in Fig. 4, the shoe support is provided with a toe support 20 andua heelsupport 22. The toe support comprises a resilient pad 24 adapted to support an inverted shoe at the toe. portion thereof, the pad being mounted on anupright post. 26 carried. in a bracket 28 secured at therearward end of a support slide 30. For adjusting the. heightwise position of the toe pad, the post 26 is slidablyl mountedin a. bore 32 in. the bracket 28, the heightwise position of: the. post being fixed by a binding screwx34;

The 11661 support 22includes a spindle 38 adapted to be received-inthespindle hole inthe heel end of a shoe last .placed thereon. The spindle is formed on the upper end of athreaded member 40 having a knurled portion 42, the memberdi) being threaded into a post 44 so that the spindle lsfilmay be .adjusted'heightwise relative to the post and lockedrin position by. a lock nut 46. As seen inFig. 4, the upper surface of the portion 42 provides a shoulderfor supporting the heel end .of the last. The post 44 is. pivotally mounted for swinging movements on a horizontal pin 43 carried by an adjusting slide 50, the. slide being mounted for horizontal sliding movements in-guideways 52fl(Fig. 3) inthe slide 30. The post 44 and hence also the spindle 38 areiurged' in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig; 4, about the pin. 48 by a spring 54 arranged between a lug 56 011' the post and a portion of the. slide 50. The. slide 50'also has fixed thereto one end of ashorizontal control rod 58 which extends to the right, as seen in Fig. 4, through a bore 6% in the bracket 28. The rod 58 is provided with aplurality of notches 62 adapted to receive a spring pressed detent 64 carried for vertical movement in a bore 66 in the bracket 28. Thedetent 64 is providedwit'h a handle 68 and is normally urged into engagement-with one of the notches '62 by a spring 70. Thus by raising the detent 64, the heel rest is released for adjustment toward andaway from the toesrest to accommodate-shoes of different sizes and is locked in adjusted position by releasingthe detent 64 for engagement with one of the notches 62. Thus as seen in Fig.= 4,.the heel end of the last is placed on the spindle 38 and rocked' heelwardly-about .the pin 48 against the action of the spring 54 50 that the toe end of the shoe maybe swung over the toe pad 24, the spring 54 thereafter :acting to maintain the toe end'of the shoe firmly against. the toe pad. So that the bottom of the shoe will oecupy a substantially horizontal position, the heel end ofthe shoe-'may be raised orlowered by adjusting the member 40 and the toe end of the 'shoe may be raised or lowered by adjusting the toe post-26.

During the operationof the machine,- the shoe is moved toewardly a predetermined distance and is thereafter returned to its initial position, To this end, the slide 30 is mounted for horizontal sliding movement in guideways 36 in the frame lil es seen in Figs. 3 and 8. For moving theslide a cylinder (Fig. l) is secured rear wardly of the slideto the frame 10.- A piston 32 in the cylinder is connected-by means of 'a rod 5'4 to the slide 3%; By introducingfluid under. pressure to the left end of the cylinder, as'seen in Fig.1 1,: through" a pipe 86, the slide Sil ismoved toward the rearof the machine thus. moving-the shoe toewardly until the rearward end of the rod ddengages and actuatesa reversing-switch 881 Actuationof the switch'88 causes the pipe 86 tobe exhausted and also causes fluid-under pressure to be; introducedito the. rightQend of the cylinder Stlthrough a pipe 9!) causing the piston 82 and. slide to be moved to the left, as

j 3 seen in Fig. 1, for return movement to its initial position. When the shoe has been returned to its initial positlon, the forward end of the slide 30 actuates a stop switch 92 whereupon the fluid pressure is relieved from the pipe 90 and the slide 30 with the shoe carried thereby, is stopped in its initial position.

The bottom filler material supplying means 16 1s adapted to deposit filler material on the shoe bottom during the toeward movement of the shoe as will now be described. For containing a supply of filler material a hopper 100 is mounted on the forward end of the frame 12. As seen in Fig. l, the hopper has an inverted cone shape and is provided in the lower portion thereof with a stirring and driving member 102. This member is formed of a spirally wound wire 104 formed in the shape of an inverted cone substantially fitting the shape of the lower portion of the hopper. The upper end of the wire 104 is secured toa ring gear 106 which is mounted for rotation in a circular recess 108 formed between upper and lower portions of the hopper. The ring gear 106 is constantly driven by a helical gear 110 fixed to a horizontal shaft 112 which also has fixed thereto a pulley 114. The pulley 114 is driven through a belt 116 from a pulley 120 on the shaft of a motor M. In this manner the stirring member 102 is continuously rotated on its axis to urge the filler material in the hopper downwardly to a chamber 130 (Fig. formed in an extension 132 at the 'lower end of the hopper. When filler material is not being delivered from the hopper, the means 102 acts merely to stir the material in the hopper. The lower end of the extension 132 is provided with a pair of horizontal alined bores 134 adapted to receive fulcrum pins 136 carried by a delivery member 138. The member 138 is provided with a chamber 140 which communicates with the chamber 130 from the hopper. A nozzle 142 is fixed to the lower end of the member 138 and is provided with a chamber 144 having an outlet 146. The nozzle has mounted thereon a rearwardly extending bracket 148 which is capable of limited swiveling movements about a swivel bolt 147 received in a bore 149 in the nozzle member 142. The rearward end of the bracket is bifurcated and is supported by opposite ends of a horizontal shaft 150. The shaft in turn is supported by two vertical rods 152 which at their upper ends are slidably received in lugs 154 at opposite sides of the frame 12 (see Figs. 1 and 3). The upper ends of the rods 152 are provided with stop nuts 156 which limit downward movement of the rods by hearing against the upper sides of the lugs 154. The shaft 150 is thus yieldingly maintained in a predetermined position by springs 158 on the rods 152, the springs extending between the lower sides of the lugs 154 and nuts 160 on the rods. Thus, it may be seen that the end of the nozzle 142 also is normally maintained in a predetermined heightwise position relative to the bottom of a shoe on the shoe support but is capable of being moved heightwise against theaction of the springs 158.

To control the flow of filler material from the nozzle, a gate 170 is mounted for heightwise opening and closing movements in guideways 172 (Fig. 6) in the rearward end of the nozzle. As seen in Fig. 5, the gate 170 is in its raised or open position allowing filler material to flow from the nozzle onto the underlying shoe bottom. The upper end of the gate is provided with horizontal extensions 174 which are received in slots 178 formed in the rearward ends of a bifurcated lever 180 fulcrumed on shoulder screws 182 fixed in opposite sides of the member 138. At its forward end, the lever 180 is connected by a link 184 (Fig. 1) to the plunger of a solenoid 186.

. A spring 187 between the rearward end of the lever 180 and the member 138 urges the lever in a clockwise direction normally tomaintain the gate in its closed position, as seen in Fig. 1. Upon energization of the solenoid 186, the lever 180 is moved counterclockwise opening the gate 170, as .seen in Fig. 5, and allowing filler material to flow from the nozzle onto the shoe bottom.

Referring to Fig. 1 where the shoe S shown in dash outline is in its initial position, it may be seen that the toe end of the shoe is well forward of the outlet of the nozzle. Accordingly, at this time the gate 170 must be closed so that filler material will not be flowing there from. Referring to Fig. 8, a cam piece 200 adjustably secured to the shoe support slide 30 is adapted to actuate an arm 202 of a switch 204 during the toeward movement of the shoe. The cam piece 200 is set initially so that at the time the cam piece 200 actuates the switch 204 the toe end of the shoe will have arrived under the outlet end of the nozzle. Actuation of the switch 204 causest he solenoid 186 (Fig. 1) to be energized, openarm 210 of a switch 212 when the shoe has been moved toewardly a predetermined distance depending on the size adjustment ofthe shoe support. Actuation of the switch 212 by the cam piece 206 causes the solenoid 186 to be deenergized whereupon the spring 187 (Fig, 1) closes the gate 170 stopping the flow of filler material onto the shoe bottom. Since the cam piece 206 is carried by the heel rest slide 50, its position is varied relative to the position of the cam piece 200 according to the size adjustment of the shoe support. Thus it will be seen that a variable amount of filler material depending on the shoe size will always be deposited on the shoe bottom according to the size of shoe on the support.

For leveling and smoothing the filler material deposited on the shoe bottom from the nozzle, the belt 18 is carried at its forward end on a resilient pulley 220 adjacent the outlet of the nozzle and at its rearward end is carried by a second pulley 224. The pulley 220 is mounted for rotation on the shaft while the pulley 224 is fixed to a shaft 226 mounted for rotation in hearings in the frame 12. The shaft 226 also has fixed thereto a pulley 228 and is driven through a belt 230 and a pulley 232 on the motor M. Since the shaft 226 is driven in a counterclockwise direction the lower run of the belt 18 is constantly moving in the same direction as the toeward movement ofthe shoe. Since the shaft 150 may yield upwardly against the action of the springs 158, as previously described, the belt 18 also yields upwardly upon engagement with the shoe bottom as seen in Fig. 5. So that the belt will conform firmly to the shape of the shoe bottom, as the shoe is moved progressively thereunder, additional support for the belt is provided by four pulleys 234 which engage the upper side of the lower run of the belt. Referring to Figs. 5 and 7, the pulleys 234 are interconnected by links 235, 237 and 239 but are each free to yield independently upward against the action of springs 242 on vertical rods 244 which are connected at their lower ends to the links 239 and which at their upper ends are slidably received in lugs 246 (Fig. 1) at opposite sides of the frame 12. To maintain the group of pulleys 234 in the same relative positions on the belt, the links 239 are also connected to the shaft 150 by links 245. The lowermost positions of the pulleys 234 are determined by stop nuts 248 on the upper ends of the rods 244, the nuts engaging the upper surfaces of the lugs 246. The rods 244 and hence also the pulleys 234 are urged downwardly by the springs 242 which extend from the lower sides of the lugs 246 to stop nuts 250 on the rods. So that the belt will be more or less rigid to .press the filler material firmly against the shoe bottom yet also .be flexible enough to conform to the shape of the shoe bottom, the belt is formed of a plurality of flexible plates 260 which extend across the shoe and are concavely shaped to conform generally to the shape of the shoe bottom.. As seen in Figs. 2 and 7, the plates 7 260 are each provided with upstanding ears 262 at opposite ends thereof, each of the plates being connected to adjacent plates by links 264 extending between the ears 262 so that a continuous articulated belt is formed.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that during the toeward movement of the shoe, the filler material is deposited on the shoe bottom from the nozzle 1,42 and the belt adjacent thereto firmly spreads and levels the material to conform closely to the shape of the shoe bottom. As the shoe is moved toewardly, the belt is displaced upwardly against the action of the springs 158 and 242 and since the nozzle is also supported by the shaft 150, the position of the belt on the shoe bottom also determines the heightwise position of the nozzle above the shoe bottom. As previously described, when the desired amount of filler material has been deposited on the shoe bottom upon a predetermined toeward movement of the shoe, the gate 170 is closed stopping further flow of filler material from the nozzle. Continued toeward movement of the shoe causes the belt to level the remaining portions of the filler material on the shoe bottom. Shortly thereafter, movement of the slide 30 causes the control rod 58 to actuate the switch 88thus also causing the movement of the slide 30 and the shoe to be reversed. During the reversed or. return movement of the shoe, the belt 18 continues to be driven in the samedirection while the shoe bottom is being moved in the opposite direction. This causes a sliding action between the belt and the leveled filler material on the shoe bottom causing the material to be further spread and smoothedby the belt.

The operation of the machine will now be described with particular reference to the electricalcontrol circuits diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9, the various elements of the controlcircuits being illustrated in Fig. 9 in their inactive positions. Asuitable source of electrical power, not shown, is connected in line wires L1 and L2. Prior to the operation of the machine, the operator places ashoe S on the shoe support and adjusts the heel rest 22 (Fig. 4) relative to the toe rest in accordance with the size of shoe to be operated upon. To initiate the operation of themachine', the operator actuates a start switch 270 (Figs. 1 and 9) closing a circuit from the line wire L1 through the switch 270, normally closed contacts K4A and KSD and relay coil K1 to .the line wire L2, thus energizing the coilKl and closing normally open contacts KlA to establish a holding circuit around the switch 270 and contacts K4A. At the same time a relay coil K4 is energized through the switch 270 opening the normally closed contacts K4A de-activating the switch 270. Energization of the coil Klalso closes normally open contacts KlB, closing a circuit from the line wire L1 through contacts K113, and a coil of asolenoid operated valve V1 (shown only in 9.) to the line wire L2. Energization of the valve V1 .shifts an element therein to connect the pipe 86 to a pipe.272.(shown only in Fig. 9) which is connected to a suitable source of pressurized fluid (not shown). In this manner, fluid under pressure is introduced through the pipe 86 (Fig; 1) to. the left endof the cylinder 80, thus causing the. support slide and the shoe S to be moved toewardl-y, When the toe end of the shoe arrives under the outlet of thenozzle, the cam piece 200 on the shoe support slide 30 actuates the switch 204 (see also Fig. 8). Actuation of the normally open switch 204 closes a circuit from the line wire L1 through the switch 204, normallyclosed switch 212, normally closed contacts K3C and through a relay coil K2 to the line wire L2. In this manner, the relay coil K2 is energized closing. a holding circuit around the switch 204 through contacts K2A toinsure continued energizationof the relay K2- Energizationof the relay K2 also closes the normally open contacts K213 to energize the gate solenoid 186 andcausing the gate -.170 in the nozzle to be opened. Thus, during continued toeward movement of the shoe, filler material is; discharged from the nozzle onto. the underlying shoe bottom. As previously described, after the desired amount of filler material has been deposited on the shoebottom according to .shoe size the cam piece 206 on .the heel rest slide 50 aetuates thenonnally closed switch 2 12 thus opening the circuit to the relay coil K2 causing the contacts K2A and K213 to be opened. When the contacts KZB are opened, the circuit to the gatesolenoid186 is also opened tie-energizing the solenoid and allowing the. gate to close. In this manner the deposition of the filler material on. the shoe bottom is stopped while the shoe continues its toeward movement allowingthe remainder of the filler materialto be leveled on the. shoe bottom. Shortly thereafter, the rear end of. the control rod 58. actnates the normally open switch 88 closing a circuit to arelaycoil K3 from the line Wire L1 through the normally closed switch 92, the switch 88 and through the coil K3 to the line wire L2. Energization of relay coil K3 closes contacts K3A to establish a holding circuit around the switch 88 and also opens normally closed contacts K 3D to denfl Ze e y Q Dser in relay K1 opens the contacts KlB tie-energizing the solenoid valve V1 causing the pipe86 to be placed in communication with an exhaust port andclosing the pipe 272. At the same time energization of relay K3 closes the normally open contacts K313 energizingasolenoid operated valve V2, causing a valve elementthereintoshift to permit communication between the pipe. 99 and the pipe 272. in this. manner fluid under pressure is introduced to the rearward end of the cylinder 80. through the pipe ii reversing the movement of the support slide 30 and the shoe S. During the return movement of the shoe and belt 18 acts with a sliding action on the leveled filler mate rial on the shoe bottorn to further smooth and spread the material. When theshoe has been returned to its initial PQSitiQn theforward end of the support slide 3i actuatesthenormally closed switch 92 opening the cir cuit to the relay coil K3 which opens the contacts to de-energizethe solenoid valve V2, placing the pipe 9li in communication. with an exhaust port and stopping the. shoe at its initial position having completed the bottom filling operation.

Having thus described my invention, whatfclaim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a shoe bottom filling machine, the combination of a shoe support, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon, means for progressively depositing filler material along the bottom of said shoe during its movement, and an endless flexible belt extending substantially along. the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom for progressively spreading said material on said shoe bottom as it isdeposited thereon.

2. In a shoe bottom filling machine, the combination of a shoe support adjustable for accommodating shoes of diiferent sizes,.means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance depending upon the size adjustment of said support, means. for progressively depositing filler material along the bottom of said shoe during its toeward movement, and an endless flexible belt extending substantially along the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom for progressively spreading said material on said shoe bottom as it is deposited thereon.

3. In a shoe bottom filling machine, the combination of a shoe. support adjustable for accommodating shoes of different sizes, means for moving said support for transporting .a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance depending upon the size adjustment of said support and for thereafter returning said shoe to its initial position, means forprogressively depositing filler-material along the bottom of said shoe during itstoeward movement, an endless flexible belt extending substantially along the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom, and means for driving said belt toewardly of said shoe for progressively leveling and spreading said material as itis deposited on said shoe bottom, and for further spreading and smoothing said material by a sliding action during the return movement of said shoe.

4. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe'support, means for moving said'support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance, means for depositing filler material along the bottom of said shoe during a predetermined portion of its toeward movement depending on the size of said shoe, and an endless flexible belt extending substantially along the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom for progressively spreading saidimaterial on said shoe bottom as it is deposited thereon.

5. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support adjustable for accommodating shoes of different sizes, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance and for thereafter returning said shoe to its initial position, means for depositing filler material along the bottom of said shoe during a predetermined portion of its toeward movement depending on the size adjustment of said support, and an endless flexible belt extending substantially along the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom for progressively spreading said material on said shoe bottom as it is deposited thereon.

6. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support adjustable for accommodating shoes of different sizes, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance and for thereafter returning said shoe to its initial position, means for depositing filler material along the bottom'of said shoe during a predetermined portion of its toeward movement depending on the size adjustment of said support, an endless flexible belt extending substantially along the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom, and means for driving said belt toewardly of said shoe for progressively leveling and spreading said material on said shoe bottom as it is deposited thereon and for further spreading and smoothing said material by sliding action against the material during the return movement of the shoe. 7

7. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly and for thereafter returning said shoe to its initial position, means for progressively depositing filler material along the bottom of said shoe during a predetermined portion of its toeward movement depending on the size of said shoe, and an endless flexible belt extending substantially in the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom, said belt being driven toewardly of' said shoe for progressively leveling said material on'said shoe bottom as it is deposited'thereon during the toeward movement of said shoe and for further spreading and smoothing said material by a sliding action during the return movement of said shoe.

8. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support adjustable for accommodating shoes of different sizes, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance depending on the size adjustment of said support and for thereafter returning said shoe to its initial position, means for progressively depositing filler material along the bottom of said shoe during a predetermined portion of its toeward movement depending on the size adjustment of said support, and an endless flexible belt extending substantially in the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom, said belt being driven toewardly of said shoe for progressively leveling said material on said shoe bottom as it is deposited thereon during the toeward movement of said shoe and for further spreading and smoothing said material by a sliding action during'the return movement of said shoe.

9. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support adjustable for acco'mmodating shoes of difierent sizes, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance and for thereafter returning saidishoe to its initial position, filler material delivering means including a hopper, a nozzle lead- Iing therefromto a point above the path of movement of said shoe bottom, means for yieldinglyforcing said material from said hopper through said nozzle, a normally ,closedtgate on said nozzle for preventing the flow of material therefrom, means for opening said gate during a predetermined portion of the toeward movement of said shoe depending on the size adjustment of said support for causing said material to be deposited progressively along the shoe bottom and for closing said gate during the return movement of said shoe, and an endless flexible belt extending substantially in the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom for progressively spreading said material as it is deposited on said shoe bottom.

10. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support adjustable for supporting shoes of different sizes, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance depending on the size adjustment of said support and for thereafter returning said shoe to its initial position, filler material delivering means including a hopper, a nozzle leading therefrom to a point above the path of movement of said shoe bottom, a spiral conoidal shaped coil in said hopper, said coil being constantly rotated about its axis for stirring the material in said hopper and for yieldingly forcing said material through said nozzle, a normally closed gate on said nozzle for preventing the flow of material therefrom, means for opening said gate during the toeward movement of said shoe for causing said material to be deposited progressivelytalong the shoe bottom'and for closing said gate during the return movement of said shoe, and an endless flexible belt extending substantially in the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom for progressively spreading said material on said shoe bottom as it is deposited thereon from said nozzle.

11. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoesupport, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance depending on the size of said shoe, means for progressively depositing filler material along the bottom of said shoe during its toeward movement, a plurality of flexible plates each extending transversely of a shoe on said support, each plate being pivotally connected to adjacent plates to form an endless articulated belt, one run of which extends substantially in the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom, means yieldingly supporting said run against heightwise movement away from said shoe bottom whereby said run is yieldingly displaced by said shoe bottom as said shoe is moved toewardly and caused to conform firmly with the curvature of said shoe bottom for leveling and spreading said ma terial after it is deposited.

12. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support adjustable for accommodating shoes of different sizes, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance depending on the size adjustment of said support and fortthereafter returning saidshoe to its initial position, means for progressively depositing filler material along the bottom of said shoe during its toeward movement, a plurality of flexible plates each extending transversely of a shoe on said support, each plate being pivotally connected to adjacent plates to form an endless articulated belt, one run of Which extends substantially in the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom, means yieldingly supporting said run against heightwise movement away from said shoe bottom whereby said run is yieldingly displaced by said shoe bottom as said shoe is moved toewardly and caused to conform firmly with the curvature of said shoe bottom for leveling and spreading said material after it is deposited.

13; In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support adjustable for accommodating shoes of different sizes, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance depending assnaev on the size adjustment of said support and for thereafter returning said shoe to its initial position, means for progressively depositing filler material along the bottom of said shoe during its toeward movement, a plurality of flexible plates each extending transversely of a shoe on said support, each plate being pivotally connected to adjacent plates to form an endless articulated belt, one run of which extends substantially in the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom, means yieldingly supporting said run against heightwise movement away from said shoe bottom whereby said run is yieldingly displaced by said shoe bottom as said shoe is moved toewardly and caused to conform firmly with the curvature of said shoe bottom, said belt being driven toewardly of said shoe for progressively leveling and spreading said material on said shoe bottom as it is deposited thereon and for further spreading and smoothing said material by sliding action against the material during the return movement of said shoe.

14. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support, means for moving said support for transporting a shoe thereon toewardly and for thereafter returning said shoe to its initial position, filler material delivering means including a hopper, a nozzle leading therefrom to a point above the path of movement of said shoe bottom, means for moving said material from said hopper through said nozzle, a normally closed gate on said nozzle for preventing the flow of material therefrom, means for opening said gate during a predetermined portion of the toeward movement of said shoe depending on the size of said shoe thereby causing material measured according to shoe size to be deposited progressively along the shoe bottom, said gate being closed during the return movement of said shoe, a plurality of flexible plates each extending transversely of a shoe on said support, each plate being pivotally connected to adjacent plates to form an endless articulated belt the lower run of which extends sub stantially in the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom, means yieldingly supporting the lower run of said belt against heightwise movement away from said shoe bottom whereby the lower run of said belt is yieldingly displaced by said shoe bottom as said shoe is moved toewardly and caused to conform substantia1- ly with the curvature of said shoe bottom, and means for driving said belt toewardly of said shoe for progressively leveling and spreading said material on said shoe bottom as it is deposited thereon and for further spreading and smoothing said material by sliding action during the return movement of said shoe.

15. In a shoe bottom filling machine, a shoe support adjustable for supporting shoes of different sizes, means for moving said support for transporting: a shoe thereon toewardly a predetermined distance and for thereafter returning said shoe to its initial position, filler material delivering means including a hopper, a nozzle leading therefrom to a point above the path of movement of said shoe bottom, means for moving said material from said hopper through said nozzle, a normally closed gate on said nozzle for preventing the flow of material therefrom, means for opening said gate during a predetermined portion of the toeward movement of said shoe depending on the size adjustment of said support thereby causing material measured according to shoe size to be deposited progressively along the shoe bottom, said gate being closed during the return movement of said shoe, a plurality of flexible plates each extending transversely of a shoe on said support, each plate being pivotally connected to adjacent plates to form an endless articulated belt the lower run of which extends substantially in the same plane as the path of movement of said shoe bottom, means yieldingly supporting the lower run of said belt against heightwise movement away from said shoe bottom whereby the lower run of said belt is yieldingly displaced by said shoe bottom as said shoe is moved toewardly and caused to conform substantially with the curvature of said shoe bottom, and means for driving said belt toewardly of said shoe for progressively leveling and spreading said material on said shoe bottom as: it is deposited thereon and for further spreading and smoothing said material by sliding action during the return movement of said shoe.

No references cited. 

